Kansas State announces $75M major renovation project

MANHATTAN (AP) — Kansas State University has unveiled plans for a major renovation that will bring more amenities for its football fans and athletes, including more concession choices and restrooms, more retail options and premium seating.

Athletic Director John Currie announced details of the $75 million expansion Thursday during a pep rally in Arlington, Texas, where the Wildcats were preparing for Friday night's Cotton Bowl showdown with Arkansas.

The project will feature a new structure on the west side of the stadium, replacing the stadium's facilities built in 1969 and a press box that opened in 1993, The Manhattan Mercury reported.

The new structure, which will be 250,000 square feet, will also include a new ticket office, a Hall of Honor, 40 private suites, 36 club boxes and 800 club-level seats.

Kansas State has raised roughly one-third of the funds necessary to start the project, Currie said. The goal is to begin construction before the 2012 season, which would require having 50 to 60 percent of the funding in place through private gifts, and have much of the work done in time for the 2013 season.

The initial construction process will take place around the current press box structure.

"Next season, our goal is to have one heck of a mess," Currie said.

"I think the K-State family was ready for some facilities enhancement," president Kirk Schulz told The Topeka Capital-Journal.

Schulz said planning for the renovation began roughly 18 months ago.

"John and I talked about this when he first started as athletic director and I first started as president," Schulz said. "At that time, this was a fantasy project."

Subsequent plans for the stadium facilities include a new strength and conditioning center, an entertainment pavilion and potential seating additions. Stadium capacity will remain at 50,000 for now, Currie said.

"Over the long term there are opportunities to potentially add seating if demand warrants," he said.